Airborne Mycotoxins Are More Dangerous Than We Thought
Mold can grow in homes after water damage. But it’s not just something that looks bad—it can also make the air in your home dangerous to breathe. Mold makes poisons called mycotoxins, and new studies show that these poisons can travel through the air and make people very sick.
Mycotoxins Can Travel Through the Air
People used to think mycotoxins only stayed on moldy surfaces. But now we know that they can become airborne—meaning they float around in the air. Even things like fans, heating systems, or just people walking around can make these poisons lift off surfaces and float into the air.
Scientists found that mycotoxins can get into the air, stick to tiny dust particles, and spread through the whole house.
These tiny dust particles are so small that:
- They can go deep into your lungs when you breathe.
- Some even get stuck in your nose and travel to your brain.
- This can cause serious health problems, especially for people who are sensitive to mold.
Why This Is Important for Home Owners
If you clean up mold or fix homes with water damage, here’s what you need to know:
- Any building with mold likely has mycotoxins too.
- These poisons can spread far beyond the moldy area.
- Regular air filters don’t catch the tiny dust the mycotoxins stick to.
- Even small amounts of mycotoxins can make people feel sick.
- Basic cleaning methods often don’t get rid of them.
- A better method, called the “HEPA pizza,” uses special cloths that work better than just vacuuming.
Can You Clean Off Mycotoxins?
Yes! One product, called Superstratum Hypochlorous Acid Pro Cleaner, was tested to see if it could remove mycotoxins from hard-to-clean wood. It worked really well—removing 94% to 95% of the poisons!
A New Way to Clean Mold and Mycotoxins
The company Superstratum has a full cleaning plan that helps remove mold and mycotoxins:
- Test the air to find mycotoxins.
- Spray a fine mist (fog) of cleaner into the air.
- Wipe down all surfaces with the special cleaner.
- Do a second fogging with a weaker mix.
- Use a gas to clean hidden areas.
- Blow out dirty air with clean filtered air.
- Cover surfaces with a coating to stop mold from growing again.
- Test again to make sure the mycotoxins are gone.
Conclusion
Mycotoxins from mold are more dangerous than we used to think—especially when they get into the air. They can spread throughout a home, stick to dust, and even reach deep into our lungs or brain. This can make people feel very sick, even if they can’t see any mold.
That’s why it's so important to clean up mold the right way. New cleaning methods and products, like Superstratum Hypochlorous Acid Pro Cleaner, are showing great results in removing these poisons. If you’re working in a building with water damage, or you help clean up mold, using the best tools and steps can help keep everyone safe and healthy.